Stand utensil for keyboard and keyboard with stand mechanism

ABSTRACT

The present invention enables the efficient use of desktop space and the efficient input operation of a keyboard by realizing space-savings for the keyboard by a simple and economical means that does not involve reducing the size of the keyboard. The keyboard occupies the keyboard space on the desktop when it is being used in an input operation and thereby maintains the efficiency of its input operation, and the keyboard is placed in a standing position when additional space on the desktop is required by utilizing the stand gear of the present invention. In addition to the above, the present invention facilitates entry of data from reference materials during the input operation, as well as proofreading the input result against the reference material after the input operation, by positioning the reference material on a paper stand mechanism which is positioned on the stand gear further utilizing “dead” desktop space efficiently. The present invention includes, a stand base and a support arm which constitute the stand gear and a keyboard. The three components are linearly arranged and coupled, so as to be pivotally connected with each other. In such construction, the two endmost components, which are pivotally connected at their respective ends to the other component between them, contact each other so as to form a triangular structure having sides constituted by the respective components, including a base constituted by the stand base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the arrangement and construction of a keyboardfor a computer, including a personal computer, and of a stand gear forattaching to the keyboard. The stand gear is intended to realize thereduction in keyboard space on the desk by standing the keyboard by asimple operation, thereby providing more efficient use of the desktopspace occupied by the personal computer and its peripherals, includingthe keyboard.

RELATED ART

The keyboard is generally used as one of the input terminals of acomputer. The personal computer (PC) is a type of computer whichutilizes a keyboard, and “PC” will be used hereinafter to designatecomputer. As a result of the remarkable spread of the PC in the marketin recent years, an individual's desk in an office or home nowaccommodates a PC and its various peripherals. The PC is situated on thedesk where it may be readily reached from an operator's seat and may beoperated most efficiently. However, the location of the keyboard of thePC so that it can be readily and efficiently utilized also createsproblems on an everyday basis.

One problem is the situation wherein the PC and its peripherals on thedesk become an obstacle to doing work, other than PC operation, at thesame desk. This problem is a natural consequence of the fact that thekeyboard and display monitor of the PC peripherals are indispensable tooperation of the PC and thus should be located at least within theoperator's reach for their operational requirements. The keyboard mostoften becomes an obstacle to doing other work because the keyboard isplaced just in front of the operator's seat.

Many compact and space-saving PC products have been developed as oflate. However, most of these products reduce the space requirements foronly the PC itself or display monitor. Thus, the keyboard space problemhas not necessarily been resolved by these products.

A second problem is that the keyboard may become an obstacle to doingwork on the PC when using an input terminal other than the keyboard,such as a mouse, light pen, voice recognition input device or controllerfor a game machine, because the keyboard occupies the desktop space infront of the display monitor at all times.

Further problems occur that require additional desk-top space, when theoperator needs to transcribe a display output to paper, to operate thekeyboard to input information directly from reference materials, such asdata materials or operation manuals, used for input operation or tocheck the display output over the reference materials used. In each ofthese situations, an open space available beside the keyboard is usuallyused. However, when the open space beside the keyboard is used forworking as described above, the operator must look back and forthbetween the display monitor and the transcribed matter/referencematerial such that the operator's work will not be efficient and willoften cause eye fatigue. All the problems described above may beresolved by utilizing the keyboard space whenever necessary.

In order to use the desktop space efficiently, it is a usual practicethat things necessary to work are taken out or drawn toward the operatoron the desktop in preparation for working and are subsequently put asidewhen the work is complete. In the meantime, the keyboard which is one ofthe tools having movable size and weight is actually seldom clearedaway, regardless of the problems it creates as described hereinbefore.The reason the keyboard is not put aside is not because it isunnecessary to do so, but because a prior keyboard is not equipped witha clearing-away capability that enables it to be cleared away by asimple operation when necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The input operation of the keyboard is performed by tapping arrays ofkeys of many letters and symbols. Thus, each key face is restrictedwithin a given size range from the standpoint of input operationalrequirements, and therefore, the minimum requisite size of the keyboardhas to be maintained. For these reasons, it is not easy to attain spacesavings or realize a compact structure for the keyboard while keepingthe efficiency of its input operation.

The present invention enables the efficient use of desktop space and theefficient input operation by realizing the space saving for the keyboardby a simple and economical means that does not involve reducing the sizeof the keyboard. In other words, the keyboard occupies the keyboardspace on the desktop when it is being used in an input operation andthereby maintains the efficiency of its input operation, and thekeyboard is placed in a standing position when additional space on thedesktop is required.

In addition to the above, the present invention facilitates entry ofdata from reference materials during the input operation, as well asproofreading the input result with the reference material after theinput operation, by positioning the reference material in the bestposition from which to read them while utilizing “dead” desktop spaceefficiently.

A stand gear of the present invention is arranged and structured so asto be easily attachable to a stand-alone type keyboard and allows a userat any time to reduce the space occupied by the keyboard by utilizingthe standing capability imparted to the keyboard by the stand gear. Inparticular, the stand gear allows a user to make available an open spaceon the desktop where the keyboard was sitting originally, which is themost efficient place on the desk to do work, by performing the operationof standing or returning the keyboard to the desktop as necessary. Thus,when the keyboard is not used in an input operation or the spaceoccupied by the keyboard is required for another use, the keyboard canbe set aside in its standing position. As a result, the presentinvention provides a means to enable more efficient use of the desktopspace and realizes the efficient input operation of the PC on a desktopof limited space.

In addition to the efficient use of the desktop space, the presentinvention provides reduced eye fatigue and efficient reading when thestand gear is combined with a stand mechanism for holding referencematerials.

The construction and function of the stand gear will be describedhereinafter. Three components of the present invention include, a standbase and a support arm which constitute the stand gear and a keyboard.The three components are linearly arranged and coupled, so as to bepivotally connected with each other. In such construction, the twoendmost components, which are pivotally connected at their respectiveends to the other component between them, contact each other so as toform a triangular structure having sides constituted by the respectivecomponents, including a base constituted by the stand base.

A stopping means is provided on the stand base which is one of the twocomponents in contact with each other. Then the other contactingcomponent, constituted by either the keyboard or the stand arm, isstopped by the stopping means wherein the two components in a stoppedrelationship are connected, thereby causing a closed triangle of forceto be formed by the three components. Thus, if the stand base isdisposed on a desk, the keyboard as one of the three components is heldin its standing position on the desk.

For a keyboard which does not have a pivotal connection mechanism asdescribed hereinbefore, holders having the pivotal connection mechanismare fixedly provided on the keyboard and the keyboard is connectedpivotally to the stand arm through the holders.

When the components fixedly connected by the stopping means of the standbase are released and folded flat, the stand base and stand arm arehoused behind or in the back of the keyboard, and the keyboard istransformed for an inputting operation or the lying state.

Since the stand gear according to the present invention is constructedby the linkage described above, an operator does not have to pick up thewhole weight of the keyboard when he stands it up and returns it to itsready position. The operator of the keyboard can operate it swiftly andreadily if he repeats these “put-it-aside” and “put-it-back” operationsand can also operate it by handlingjust the keyboard.

The stand gear may also be constructed so that the tilt angle of thekeyboard in its standing position is adjustable and the keyboard in itsstanding position is easily movable on the desktop. Also, the stand gearmay be constructed so as to stand the keyboard upside down or invert iton the desk by similar operation as described hereinbefore withreference to the standing operation. Further, the interiordecorativeness of the keyboard in the inverted position may be enhancedby designing the back of the keyboard to harmonize with the atmosphereof the room when the PC is used at home or the like.

Additionally, a paper stand board for standing and holding referencematerials is attached to the stand gear so as to locate it between thedisplay and the keyboard, thereby enabling the materials it holds to beread most efficiently over the input operation. The location of thereference material is optimal for an operator to efficiently read itbecause the operator can read the reference material with minimum eyemovement when it is necessary to look from the monitor display, thekeyboard and/or the reference paper one after another.

Also, the location of the paper stand board is usually within a “dead”desktop space and thus the paper stand board results in efficient spaceutilization. The paper stand board may be constructed so as to bedetachable from the stand gear whenever necessary or with an adjustabletilt angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stand gear of the present inventionattached using holders to both sides of a keyboard in a standingposition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stand gear of the present inventionattached using holders to both sides of a keyboard in a lying positionready to operate.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stand gear of the present inventionattached using holders to both sides of a keyboard in a reverse-standingposition.

FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of a stand base on which a stand armis mounted.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a keyboard, to which a stand gear of thepresent invention is attached, showing the motion of the keyboard by thestand operation.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a keyboard, to which a stand gear of thepresent invention is attached, showing the motion of the keyboard by thereverse-stand operation.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a stand gear of the present inventionattached using holders to the back of a keyboard in a standing position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stand base of another embodiment onwhich a stand arm is mounted.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stand base having a slide portion tomake a location of a stopping portion thereof adjustable.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a stopping means of a stand base ofanother embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stopping means of a stand baseaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a stopping means of a stand baseaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a stopping means of a stand baseaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of holders mounted on a keyboard accordingto another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of holders mounted on a keyboard accordingto another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of holders mounted on a keyboard to make alocation of a bearing hole adjustable.

FIG. 17 is perspective view of a holder 30 a shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a stand gear showing a stand base onwhich a paper stand board is mounted.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a main portion of a stand gear showinga rotational bearing portion of a stand base on which a paper standboard is mounted.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 onwhich a keyboard is mounted.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a paper stand board mounted on a standarm.

FIG. 22 is a perspective rear view of a keyboard equipped with a standgear according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective rear view of a keyboard equipped with a standgear according to another embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective rear view of a keyboard equipped with a standgear according to another embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective rear view of a keyboard equipped with a standgear according to another embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailhereinafter by referring to the drawings.

In FIGS. 1 through 6, a stand gear comprises a stand arm 10, made bybending a spring steel rod of about 3 mm in diameter into a nearlyC-like shape, and a stand base 20, made of molded plastic, having astopping means 21 comprised of a projection. A rotational shaft portion11 of stand arm 10 is fitted in a U-like shaped groove 22, formed at theback of stand base 20, so as to be rotatably held in the U-shaped groove22 with bearing blocks 23 a and 23 b which are fitted thereinafterwards, thereby pivotally connecting stand base 20 to stand arm 10.

Support shaft portions 13 a and 13 b, each of which is a bent open endof either arm shaft portion 12 a or 12 b of stand arm 10, are insertedinto respective bearing holes 31 a and 31 b bored in a pair of left andright holders 30 a and 30 b, so that stand arm 10 is rotatably held byholders 30 a and 30 b. Each of holders 30 a and 30 b is attached on oneof the left and right side faces 3 a and 3 b of keyboard 1 by insertinga pair of guide nails 32 of holders 30 a and 30 b into each of sidefaces 3 a and 3 b, and is stuck thereon with an adhesive sheet or bond.

Holders 30 a and 30 b should be fixed to respective side faces 3 a and 3b substantially at the midpoints thereof, so that keyboard 1 in itsstanding position is stably held and the desktop space occupied bykeyboard 1 mounted on the stand gear is reduced as much as possible.

Referring to FIG. 1, keyboard 1 is shown in its standing positionmounted on the stand gear. When keyboard 1 is raised so as to place afront face 2 a thereof on stand base 20, front face 2 a is stopped bystopping means 21, whereby keyboard 1 is held in its standing position.Referring to FIG. 2, keyboard 1 is shown ready for input operation, inother words, in its lying position.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, to change the position of keyboard 1 as shownin FIG. 2 into that shown in FIG. 1, an operator picks up keyboard 1 inboth hands and continuously pushes keyboard 1 so that a rear face 2 bthereof is gradually raised. Once keyboard 1 reaches its standingposition, front face 2 a thereof is placed on stand base 20 to bestopped by stopping means 21. To return keyboard 1 from its standingposition to its original position, the operator lifts keyboard 1 justenough to release stopping means 21 and the operation describedhereinbefore is then followed in the reverse order.

During the standing operation described above, keyboard 1 may be movedso as to make the weight thereof be carried by arm shaft portions 12 aand 12 b of stand arm 10 thereby reducing the load of keyboard 1 on theoperator's hands.

In addition, a stand gear constructed in accordance with the presentinvention enables keyboard 1 to be inverted as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.In this case, to change the position of keyboard 1 shown in FIG. 2 tothat shown in FIG. 3, keyboard 1 is inverted by lifting the front face 2a thereof so as to slide the rear face 2 b thereof onto stand base 20and stopping front face 2 a by stopping means 21. To return keyboard 1to its original position, the operation described above is performed inthe reverse order.

In the construction described above, when the stand gear is not in useholders 30 a and 30 b and arm shaft portions 12 a and 12 b are the onlyportions thereof visible. The remaining portions of the stand gear arehidden behind or beneath the keyboard. Hence, the stand gear does notobstruct either the work space on the desk or the appearance of thedesk, and people are hardly aware that the stand gear is attached to thekeyboard.

Due to appropriately setting the mounting positions for holders 30 a and30 b on respective side faces 3 a and 3 b of keyboard 1 and to thedimensional relationship between the rotation radius of arm shaftportions 12 a and 12 b of stand arm 10 and the length and depth of standbase 20, keyboard 1 in a standing position is stably held on stand base10. The present invention substantially prevents keyboard 1 from easilyfalling down even if it is stood nearly upright, thereby ensuring agreater reduction of space occupied by the standing keyboard and alsomaking the keyboard in standing position operational to input, if thekey input operation is simple and light.

When keyboard 1 is inverted, i.e., facing the back to front, the keyfaces thereof are hidden behind, thereby bringing the desirable effectof protecting the keys from erroneous keying and dust.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a stand gear attached to keyboard 1through a pair of holders 30 a and 30 b fixed on the back of keyboard 1.All parts of the stand gear are hidden behind or beneath keyboard 1 allthe time, whereby the stand gear is neither a physical obstacle noreyesore.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown one embodiment of stand base 20 thatis provided at an upper surface with sectionally U-like shaped groove 22in which rotational shaft portion 11 is rotatably held in shorter span.Stand-offs 14 a and 14 b made of ball-shaped molded plastic are mountedon both ends of rotational shaft portion 11 and are provided forreducing the burden of rotational shaft portion 11, when rotationalshaft 11 has a longer span which is loaded by the weight of keyboard 1during the standing operation.

Referring to FIGS. 9 through 12, there are shown several embodiments ofstopping means 21 of stand base 20. In FIG. 9 stand base 20 is dividedinto two parts, one of which constitutes stopping means 21 having aslide plate portion 24 and the other of which comprises sectionallyU-like shaped groove 22 for rotatably holding rotational shaft portion11 and a slide guide portion 25 that is constructed and arranged so thatslide plate portion 24 is allowed to slidably move therein. Stoppingmeans 21 of stand base 20 moves perpendicular to rotational shaftportion 11 by moving stopping means 21 so as to set the keyboard at adesired tilt angle and fastening it by set screw 26. In this position,the keyboard can be stood at an easily operable tilt angle so that theinput operation may be performed while the keyboard is standing.

In FIG. 10, stopping means 21 of stand base 20 is made of a bent thinplastic plate that is constructed so as to be allowed to swingvertically, like a flat spring, when an external force is applied in avertical direction. Stopping means 21 not only functions to stop andhold the standing keyboard, but also functions to absorb the shock ofthe keyboard hitting against stand base 20 with its spring force bybeing arranged so that the back of the keyboard contacts stopping means21 first when the standing keyboard is laid down.

In FIG. 11, stopping means 21 of stand base 20 is made of a thin plateof elastic material, for example, a plastic formed in the shape of awave may be constructed so that a keyboard placed at the bottom portionof wave-shaped stopping means 21 is stopped by the crest portion ofstopping means 21. When a keyboard is raised from its lying positionsuch that the front face thereof is slid on the desk until it hitsstopping means 21, wave-shaped stopping means 21 is loaded by the weightof the keyboard and is compressed and deformed elastically on the desk.The operator continues to push the keyboard over the crest portion ofcompressed and deformed stopping means 21 until the keyboard reaches thebottom portion of stopping means 21, wherein elastically deformedstopping means 21 is restored to its original state thereby stopping thefront face of the keyboard. The use of stopping means 21 with the standgear hardly requires the keyboard to be lifted when it is placed in thestanding position, thereby reducing the load of the keyboard on theoperator.

In FIG. 12, stopping means 21 of stand base 20 forms a plurality ofgrooves in the shape of the teeth of a saw. In this case, the tilt angleof the standing keyboard becomes adjustable by changing the groove inwhich the standing keyboard is secured because each groove has the sameeffect of stopping the keyboard. If stopping means 21 is made of elasticmaterial, for example, rubber, the mechanical shock generated during thestanding operation can be absorbed.

In FIG. 13, stopping means 21 of stand base 20 is formed from sponge orsponge-like material. When a keyboard is stood on this stopping means21, only a part of stopping means 21 in contact with the keyboard getssunk or depressed by the weight of the keyboard, whereby the keyboard isstopped at the depressed part. In this case, a shock absorbing effectcan be also expected when the keyboard is stood and placed in stoppingmeans 21.

Referring to FIGS. 14 through 17, there are shown other embodiments ofholders 30 a and 30 b.

In FIG. 14, a pair of holders 30 a and 30 b are cap-shaped so that theycan be fixedly mounted on keyboard 1 by putting them on respective sidefaces 3 a and 3 b. In this case, holders 30 a and 30 b fixed to keyboard1 can be easily detached at any time because of they are affixed withoutusing adhesive sheets, bond or the like.

In FIG. 15, a pair of holders 30 a and 30 b, which are made of plasticsplates having the same sizes as side faces 3 a and 3 b of keyboard 1,are affixed to side face 3 a and 3 b by using adhesive sheets or bond.Due to the size of holders 30 a and 30 b and the manner in which theyare mounted on side faces 3 a and 3 b, holders 30 a and 30 b are notobtrusive, thereby hardly giving the feeling of incongruity.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, a pair of holder 30 a and 30 b are provided withguide plates 34 a and 34 b having guide holes 35 a and 35 b and withslide blocks 33 a and 33 b having bearing holes 31 a and 31 b,respectively. Guide plates 34 a and 34 b are affixed to respective sidefaces 3 a and 3 b of keyboard 1 with an adhesive sheet or bond. Slideblock 33 a and 33 b are slidably fitted in respective guide holes 35 aand 35 b. The support shaft portions of the stand arm are inserted intobearing hole 31 a and 31 b for attaching the stand gear. Thus, the tiltangle of the keyboard in standing position may be changed with acorresponding change in the position of slide blocks 33 a and 33 b inrespective guide holes 35 a and 35 b, so that the tilt angle thereof canbe adjusted by moving slide blocks 33 a and 33 b.

Keyboard 1 is held in its standing position at a certain tilt angle byfitting set screws 36 so as to stop slide blocks 33 a and 33 b frommoving in guide holes 35 a and 35 b respectively. Alternatively, setscrew 36 may be replaced with a brake mechanism actuated by a finger tipso as to make the tilt angle of the keyboard adjustable while thekeyboard is standing.

Referring to FIGS. 18 through 21, there is shown an embodiment of astand gear constructed so as to be combined with detachable paper standboard 40.

In FIG. 18, paper stand board 40 is mounted in its standing position onstand base 20 by inserting respective stud pins 41 a and 41 b providedon a bottom side of paper stand board 40 into a pair of stud holes 27 aand 27 b bored in stand base 20. In FIGS. 19 and 20, paper stand board40 is provided at the center or near the center of the bottom sidethereof with a rotational support shaft 45 in parallel to the bottomside. A rotation shaft bearing 28 having a sectionally U-like shapedgroove is mounted on stand base 20 so as to retain rotational supportshaft 45. A pair of free ends of a substantially C-like shaped boardstand 42 are rotatably attached to the base of paper stand board 40through respective pins 44.

Rotational support shaft 45 is fitted in the sectionally U-like shapedgroove of rotational shaft bearing 28 and paper stand board 40 is loadedon stand base 20, thereby rotatably holding paper stand board 40 onrotational shaft bearing 28. In addition, cylindrical nonskid stoppingmeans 43 made of rubber having a rough surface is provided on boardstand 42 where it is in contact with a desktop 50 so as to increase africtional resistance to desktop 50, whereby board stand 42 is stoppedand held on desktop 50.

Due to the construction as described hereinbefore, paper stand board 40can be held stably by rotational shaft bearing 28 and board stand 42.Further, the tilt angle of said paper stand board 40 can be changedeasily within a certain range by sliding nonskid stopping means 43 backand forth on desktop 50 while paper stand board 40 is stood onrotational shaft bearing 28.

Furthermore, the reference material standing against paper stand board40 does not slide down because it is caught and supported between paperstand board 40, rear face 2 b of keyboard 1 and stand base 20. Even ifthe reference material is a thick book like a manual, the opened bookcan be held.

Referring to FIG. 21, there is shown another embodiment of the inventionwhich is constructed so that paper stand board 40 is held pivotally onrotational shaft portion 11 of stand arm 10. Paper stand board 40 isprovided on both side of the bottom face thereof with sectionallyU-shaped grooves 46 a and 46 b respectively and at the center of thebottom face thereof with notch means 47 so as to avoid interference withstand base 20. Paper stand board 40 is arranged and constructed in thesame way as the embodiment described in detail with respect to FIGS. 19and 20 except for the construction as described above. When such paperstand board 40 is stood to be held pivotally by fitting grooves 46 a and46 b in rotational shaft portion 11 of stand arm 10, the effects similarto the ones in the embodiment described hereinbefore can be obtained.

Referring to FIGS. 22 through 25, there are shown embodiments of akeyboard provided with standing mechanisms.

In FIGS. 22 and 23, keyboard 1 is provided either at its side faces 3 aand 3 b or its back with a pair of bearing holes 4 a and 4 b into whichsupport shaft portions 13 a and 13 b of stand arm 10 are fitted, therebyattaching a stand gear comprising stand base 20 and stand arm 10 tokeyboard 1. The benefits of this embodiment of the stand gear tokeyboard 1, as illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, are identical to the onesfor keyboard 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 respectively, except for theposition of the holders 30 a and 30 b.

In FIG. 24, keyboard 1 is constructed so that support shaft portions 13a and 13 b of stand arm 10, which are formed by bending a spring steelrod of about 3 mm in diameter to a nearly C-like shape, are fittedpivotally in a pair of bearing holes 4 a and 4 b provided on the back ofkeyboard 1. Stand base 20 made of a plastic or steel plate which is bentat its one end so as to form stopping means 21 and is provided at theother end thereof with a hinge connection 29, is connected in hingedrelationship in the neighborhood of front side 2 a of keyboard 1,whereby it opens and closes in accordance with standing and laying-downmovements of keyboard 1 as indicated by an arrow.

When keyboard 1 so constructed is laid down on a flat surface, the wholeof stand base 20 is housed in a pit 5 provided in the back of keyboard1, and stand arm 10 is also housed in the back of keyboard 1 aftermaking a rotational movement toward rear face 2 b. When keyboard 1 israised and stood on front face 2 a from the laying-down state ofkeyboard 1, arm shaft portions 12 a and 12 b of stand arm 10 rotatefollowing its stand operation as indicated by an arrow, i.e., rotationalshaft portion 11 moves from the side of rear face 2 b toward stoppingmeans 21 of stand base 20 and finally reaches the side of front face 2 aafter getting over stopping means 21. Ceasing the stand operation atthis point of time, rotational shaft 11 is stopped by stopping means 21and the standing state of keyboard 1 is kept as illustrated in FIG. 24.

In order to return keyboard 1 in standing position to its originalposition, arm shaft portions 12 a and 12 b of stand arm 10 are lifted alittle while holding keyboard 1 with both hands so as to release thestopping of rotational shaft portion 11 against stopping means 21 andkeyboard 1 is laid down. Stand arm 10 and stand base 20 areautomatically closed according to this operation.

In FIG. 25, the construction of keyboard 1 is similar to that shown inFIG. 24, and the construction of stand base 20 is identical between FIG.24 and FIG. 25. Stand arm 10, made to be movable within the limit oflength of said stand base 20, is housed as a whole in a channel groove 6when keyboard 1 is laid down on a flat surface. Spring means 14 a and 14b are provided on respective support shaft portions 13 a and 13 b ofstand arm 10 so that the spring force of spring means 14 a and 14 b actat all time in the direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 25, i.e.,in the direction for opening stand arm 10.

Once keyboard 1, as described in this embodiment, is stood on its frontface 2 a from the laying-down position of keyboard 1, arm shaft portions12 a and 12 b of stand arm 10 rotate as indicated by the arrow in FIG.25 following the stand operation described hereinbefore. Thus,rotational shaft portion 11 moves from the side of rear face 2 b towardstopping means 21 of said stand 20, eventually reaches the side of frontface 2 a after getting over stopping means 21, whereby keyboard 1 isheld in its standing position as shown in FIG. 25.

In order to return keyboard 1 in standing position to its originalposition, arm shaft portions 12 a and 12 b of stand arm 10 are drawntoward the back of keyboard 1 while holding keyboard 1 with both handsand keyboard 1 is laid down while releasing its stopping. Hence, standarm 10 and stand base 20 are automatically closed according to theoperation described hereinbefore.

Keyboard 1 in the embodiments described hereinbefore has a simple standmechanism in construction, and is simple and readily operable. Thekeyboard is placed in a standing position by the minimum operation ofraising and standing the keyboard. Furthermore, the stand mechanism isneither physically obtrusive nor an eyesore because it is not exposedcompletely in a front view of the keyboard.

If rotational shaft portion 11 of stand arm 10 is shortened, it iseasily attainable to provide a stand gear which enables an operator torelease the keyboard from stopping means 21 without directly touchingarm shaft portions 12 a and 12 b or respective side faces 3 a and 3 b ofkeyboard 1.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stand gear for a keyboard, comprising: a standarm having a rotation shaft at one end thereof for connecting pivotallyto the keyboard; and a stand base connected pivotally to said stand armat another end of said stand arm, and said stand base having a stoppingmeans for engaging with and stopping the keyboard when the keyboard isrotated into its standing position.
 2. The stand gear for the keyboardas set forth in claim 1, wherein said stopping means of said stand baseis movable so as to make a tilt angle of the keyboard in its standingposition adjustable.
 3. The stand gear for the keyboard as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising: a paper stand board mounted on said standbase.
 4. The stand gear for the keyboard as set forth in claim 1,further comprising: a board stand mounted on a paper stand board,wherein said paper stand board is pivotally mounted on said stand base.5. The stand gear for the keyboard as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising: a board stand mounted on a paper stand board, wherein saidpaper stand board is pivotally mounted on said stand arm.
 6. The standgear for the keyboard as set forth in claim 1, wherein said stoppingmeans of said stand base is comprised of an elastically deformablematerial.
 7. The stand gear for the keyboard as set forth in claim 6,wherein said stopping means of said stand base is wave-shaped.
 8. Thestand gear for the keyboard as set forth in claim 6, wherein saidstopping means of said stand base is comprised of a plurality of grooveswherein any one of said grooves engages and stops the keyboard in itsstanding position.
 9. The stand gear for the keyboard as set forth inclaim 6, wherein said stopping means of said stand base is comprised ofa sponge or other elastomeric material.
 10. A stand gear for a keyboard,comprising: a holder attachable to the keyboard; a stand arm pivotallyconnected at one end thereof to said holder; and a stand base connectedpivotally to another end of said stand arm and said stand base having astopping means for engaging with and stopping the keyboard when thekeyboard is placed in its standing position on said stand base.
 11. Thestand gear for the keyboard as set forth in claim 10, wherein a pivotalsupport shaft portion of said stand that engages said holder is movabletherein, so as to make a tilt angle of the keyboard in its standingposition adjustable.
 12. A keyboard having a stand gear, wherein saidstand gear comprises: a stand arm pivotally connected to said keyboard;a stand base pivotally connected to said stand arm; and a stopping meansfor engaging with and stopping said keyboard provided on said standbase, by which said keyboard is engaged and stopped when said keyboardis rotated into its standing position.
 13. The keyboard having the standgear as set forth in claim 12, wherein said keyboard includes a bearingmeans to which said stand gear is fitted.
 14. The stand gear for thekeyboard as set forth in claim 12, wherein said stopping means of saidbase is comprised of an elastically deformable material.
 15. The standgear for the keyboard as set forth in claim 14, wherein said stoppingmeans of said stand base is wave-shaped.
 16. The stand gear for thekeyboard as set forth in claim 14, wherein said stopping means of saidstand base is comprised of a plurality of grooves wherein any one ofsaid grooves engages and stops the keyboard in its standing position.17. The stand gear for the keyboard as set forth in claim 14, whereinsaid stopping means of said stand base is comprised of a sponge or otherelastomeric material.